If you’re shopping for a three-row midsize SUV, one of the best choices you can make is the 2021 GMC Acadia. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also a great family hauler. 

U.S. News recognizes the Acadia’s potential and recommends it as one of the best three-row SUVs for your household. What makes it an excellent family vehicle?

Plenty for your family to love in the GMC Acadia

With an SUV this size, it’s no surprise the GMC Acadia offers plenty of head, leg, and elbow room for first- and second-row riders. As with many other three-row vehicles, the back row is a bit cramped, at least for a large adult. Young teens and children should have no issues hanging out in the back of this SUV. 

Also, with only 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row, the Acadia’s cargo space is a bit smaller than some others in its class. But if you fold down the rear seats, you’ll gain over 29 more cubic feet, plenty for hauling family gear. The max amount of space you can get with the Acadia is 79 cubic feet, with the second-row and third-row seats folded. 

Plus, you’ll find the infotainment system user-friendly, allowing you to access the features you need without navigating through layers of menus to find what you want. The Acadia’s display screen is intuitive and comes with accompanying physical controls, so you don’t have to worry about constantly tapping the screen. 

Another great feature for families is the rear entertainment system, an optional feature in the Acadia. It can hold your young ones’ attention so you can focus on the road. 

The GMC Acadia’s safety features and ratings

The 2021 GMC Acadia performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash testing. It gave the SUV an overall 5 stars, the highest rating. It also fared well in Insurance Institute for Highway crash testing. When it came to crash prevention and mitigation systems, the Acadia earned Superior and Advanced ratings. 

With a purchase of the Acadia, you get GMC’s Pro Safety Plus package, which includes many helpful safety features. According to GMC, automatic emergency braking will apply the brakes for you if the system detects a possible collision. It also comes with front pedestrian braking that will warn you if someone is crossing in front of the vehicle. It will even apply the brakes if needed. 

Among other helpful features are the Intellibeam adaptive headlights. These automatically turn on and off the high beams to suit surrounding traffic conditions. And the rear park-assist feature helps you back into a parking space by alerting you if an object is close behind the vehicle.

This SUV’s other perks

Choose from three engine options in the 2021 GMC Acadia. The standard motor is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Or upgrade to a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.6-liter V6, which comes standard on higher trim levels. And front-wheel drive comes standard, but an all-wheel drivetrain is available. 

A nine-speed automatic transmission helps the Acadia clock a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 6.8 seconds. According to fueleconomy.gov, The 3.6-liter engine gets 26 mpg on the highway with AWD and 27 mpg with FWD. The four-cylinder gets 26 to 27 mpg with FWD and 27 with the AWD. 

The Acadia also comes with a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and five USB ports to connect your devices. You’ll also get a good number of options to add to your purchase as well. They include a wireless charging device, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, HD Radio, and built-in navigation.

Overall, the 2021 GMC Acadia provides a plethora of perks to make traveling with your family easier. With decent cargo space and plenty of safety equipment, this SUV holds its own in the three-row midsize SUV segment.